MATH 5410 Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations
Fall semester 2013
MW 2:00 - 3:55 pm JWB 333
Instructor: Prof. Elena Cherkaev
Office: LCB 206 Phone: 581-7315 e-mail:
Office hours: W 4:00 - 5:00 pm and by appointment elena@math.utah.edu
Course home page: www.math.utah.edu/
∼ elena/M5410/5410.html
Text: Differential Equations, Dynamical Systems, and an Introduction to Chaos by M. Hirsch, S. Smale, R. Devaney, 2 or 3 ed. ISBN-10: 0123820103 ISBN-13: 978-
0123820105
Prerequisites: Calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations
Course Outline and Tentative Schedule: Math 5410 deals with the theory of linear and nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The course gives an introduction to initial-value problems and behavior of solutions, discusses existence, uniqueness, perturbations, and continuous dependence of solution on initial conditions, gives introduction to nonlinear dynamical systems and applications.
Part I: Linear systems: Chapters 2 - 6
Part II: Fundamentals: Chapters 7, 8, 17
Part III: Nonlinear equations and dynamical systems: Chapters 9 -15
Exams: There will be two midterms and an optional project or final exam. Tentative dates for the midterms: Oct 7 ; Nov 25.
Final: Tuesday, Dec. 17, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Grading: The grade will be calculated as an average of the midterms and the project or final.
Holidays: Labor Day holiday: Monday, September 2
Thanksgiving break: Thurs.-Fri., Nov. 28-29
Fall break: October 13-20
ADA statement: The American with Disabilities Act requires that reasonable accommodations be provided for students with physical, sensory, cognitive, systemic, learning, and psychiatric disabilities. Please contact me at the beginning of the semester to discuss any such accommodations for the course.